Muaūpoko Waitangi Tribunal Hearings

Muaūpoko claims are being heard as part of the Porirua ki Manawatū District Inquiry (WAI 2200).

Through the Waitangi Tribunal process, Muaūpoko claimants have presented evidence about the historical relationship between Muaūpoko and the Crown, including the loss and alienation of whenua, the operation of the Native Land Court, Crown purchasing, and Crown actions affecting Lake Horowhenua, the Hōkio Stream and other taonga.

The Tribunal process provides an important historical record of the experiences of Muaūpoko and considers whether Crown acts and omissions were inconsistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi.

Porirua ki Manawatū District Inquiry

The Porirua ki Manawatū District Inquiry was established by the Waitangi Tribunal to hear historical Treaty claims relating to the inquiry district.

Muaūpoko claims were granted priority within the inquiry in October 2014. Priority hearings were then held between October and December 2015, allowing Muaūpoko claimants to present evidence on significant issues affecting the iwi.

Evidence presented included matters relating to:

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Horowhenua: The Muaūpoko Priority Report

On 30 June 2017, the Waitangi Tribunal released Horowhenua: The Muaūpoko Priority Report.

The Tribunal broadly upheld the majority of the Muaūpoko claims considered in the priority inquiry.

Among its findings, the Tribunal identified Treaty breaches associated with the individualisation of Muaūpoko customary land through the Native Land Court and the Crown purchase of the Levin township site. It also found that Crown actions contributed to Muaūpoko becoming virtually landless by the end of the twentieth century.

The Tribunal identified serious Treaty breaches relating to Crown actions and omissions concerning Lake Horowhenua and the Hōkio Stream, including their administration, environmental degradation and the ability of Muaūpoko to exercise kaitiakitanga.

The report recommended that the Crown negotiate a Treaty settlement with Muaūpoko to address the harm suffered.

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Wider Enquiry hearings – 2026

The Porirua ki Manawatū District Inquiry continued through its wider inquiry phase.

From 13–17 July 2026, the Tribunal held Wider Inquiry Phase Hearing 5. This hearing provided an opportunity for further Muaūpoko-specific evidence that had not been addressed through the earlier priority hearings, alongside other remaining matters within the wider inquiry.

The wider inquiry phase also considers overlapping interests between iwi and hapū and remaining evidence relevant to the Tribunal’s consideration of claims across the inquiry district.

Recordings of the hearings are available below:

Day 1: https://youtube.com/live/C_51wWaR71U?feature=share

Day 2: https://youtube.com/live/Stsq1ATy_Oo?feature=share

Day 3: https://youtube.com/live/mpakLTu6YJc?feature=share

Day 4: https://youtube.com/live/KkU6NZrYpFg?feature=share

Day 5: https://youtube.com/live/OQqUyDze_3c?feature=share

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Where things currently sit

The July 2026 hearing formed part of the continuing WAI 2200 Porirua ki Manawatū District Inquiry.

The Waitangi Tribunal’s published inquiry information records that the wider inquiry phase includes remaining evidence, Muaūpoko-specific matters not covered in the priority hearings, overlapping-interest issues and any remaining Crown evidence.

The Tribunal will determine its findings and recommendations through the inquiry and reporting process.

Muaūpoko whānau will be kept informed as significant further developments occur.

Treaty claims and settlement

The Waitangi Tribunal inquiry is one part of the wider historical Treaty claims process.

Information about the broader Muaūpoko Treaty claims pathway, Crown negotiations and future settlement governance is available on our Muaūpoko Treaty Claims page.

Further information

For official inquiry documents, evidence, directions, reports and hearing information, visit the Waitangi Tribunal’s Porirua ki Manawatū District Inquiry page.